On Friday, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the US Soccer Developmental Academy will be playing a 10-month season starting in September and ending in June. The new schedule applies to the 2012-13 season. US Youth Soccer technical director Claudio Reyna "Going to a 10-month season is an important step in the evolution of elite player development.

Highlights from the March 16th, 1997 World Cup Qualifier and the January 18th, 2003 friendly courtesy of US Soccer Communications. The United States Soccer Federation announced last week that the two teams would meet on June 3rd.

On Tuesday, the United States Soccer Federation announced that Richie Williams has been named coach of the Under-17 National Team. Williams - a former National Team and Major League Soccer player who also served as an MLS assistant coach - had been coaching the U-18 team. The U-17 coach is a fulltime role.

The United States Soccer Federation announced on Friday its end of year awards, with the highest honors of Male Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year going to US nationals Clint Dempsey and Abby Wambach. Young Male Athlete of the Year and Young Female Athlete of the Year, which can only be [.

15The United States Soccer Federation unveiled huge changes with the 2012 U.S. Open Cup tournament that greatly alters the field. All U.S. based teams of MLS, NASL and USL Pro qualify for the tournament and join the schedule in later rounds, while the amateur levels will play the opening rounds for advancement.

The United States Soccer Federation announced significant changes for the US Open Cup. The 2012 tournament will be larger than in previous years, and the organizers are bringing an end to Major League Soccer having an advantage in hosting games late in the tournament. The following is from the US Soccer press release announcing the 2012 format: 2012 Lamar Hunt U.

The Philadelphia Independence have been busy this offseason despite the fact that up until only a few weeks ago, they weren't even sure they would have a season at all. Women's Professional Soccer had a rough go of things after the 2011 season came to an end, almost folding after a lack of both ratings and teams.

Under-17 National Team coach Wilmer Cabrera will be leaving the program at the end of January, the United States Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday. Cabrera has coached the squad since 2007. "I've enjoyed my time with the U-17s, but my journey with U.S. Soccer will be coming to an end," Cabrera said in a press statement.

On Thursday, US Youth Soccer announced that Dr. Thomas Fleck had died on December 24th. Dr. Fleck was well known to youth soccer coaches in the United States for his work with the National Youth license. He was a former National Staff coach and Youth Coordinator for the United States Soccer Federation, and spent over 40 years working to improve developmental methods and coaching techniques for youth soccer players.

Hat Trick

Steven Goff has some juicy and exclusive details on the United States Soccer Federation's budget for their 2013 fiscal year. The link is a must read but here are three highlights:

• Jurgen Klinsmann makes four times as much as Bob Bradley did when Bradley was USMNT head coach
• USSF has budgeted $3.

Orlando City owner Phil Rawlins has no desire to pay the second division North American Soccer Leagues franchise fees (last check-$750k). He's content to continue his partnership with United Soccer Leagues, the third division of pro Soccer in the U.

On Thursday, the United States Soccer Federation announced two January friendlies. The National Team will play Venezuela on January 21st at 9pm ET at the University of Phoenix Stadium and Panama in Panama City on the 25th. "It's very important that we start the year off in the right way with a good training camp and two challenging games," US coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

The United States Soccer Federation announced the under-17 players who would be joining the Bradenton Residency Academy's fall semester this year, and it includes two members of the New England Revolution under-16 team. Defender/midfielder Guyllian Kabala and midfielder Declan McCabe will get an opportunity to participate in the early stages of qualifying for the 2013 CONCACAF u-17 Championship, with an eye toward qualification for the FIFA u-17 World Cup that same year.

The big business story to hit the web today was the possible sale of a minority stake in SUM. The Sports Business Daily is reporting that Providence Equity Partners is seeking to purchase 25% of SUM for $125-150 million. The deal would certainly infuse cash into the investors and operators of MLS franchises, but whether the funds would be used to improve the standard of play is an open question.

Daniel Kaplan and John Ourand have joined together in a story to report that Major League Soccer is exploring selling a significant share in Soccer United Marketing. The 25% share is possibly being sold to Providence Equity Partners for between 125 and 150 Million dollars. It turns out big investment firms like to make money, and it seems that MLS through SUM is doing just that right now.

The United States Soccer Federation has officially announced an October 8th friendly against Honduras on October 8th. Miami's Sun Life Stadium will host the game at 6pm ET and it will be shown on Fox Soccer and Univision. "Honduras is a team that we may see in World Cup qualifying, so this is a very good opportunity for our players," US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann said.

The United States Soccer Federation announced on Monday that DC United's Chris Pontius and Birmingham City's Jonathan Spector will join the National Team for the September 2nd and 6th friendlies. The two replace Zach Lloyd and Heath Pearce who were injured over the weekend in MLS play. Clint Dempsey will be joining the squad in Europe for the September 6th game after undergoing treatment for back spasms.

Players from Carolina Railhawks and Montreal ImpactThe Price Is Right Host Drew Carey must have felt the pricetag for the Seattle Sounders was close enough without going over, as he partnered up and ponied up to lead that franchise to MLS and beyond. But, would he do the same for an NASL franchise, in other words, are there more big pocket spenders out there ready to take a chance on the NASL?

Time for some quick hits on business stories circulating the world of American soccer scene. We'll start with USWNT goalie Hope Solo, who has reportedly inked a mult-year deal with Gatorade to join their stable of spokesman/atheletes. According to the Sports Business Journal, the deal is estimated to fall in the low six-figure (per year) range.

On Monday, the United States Soccer Federation released the following transcript of new National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and USSF president Sunil Gulati's remarks to the media. U.S. Soccer President SUNIL GULATI Opening comments: "It's been an exciting summer, which is still going on with some terrific games – Barcelona and Manchester United over the weekend, lots of big crowds and the excitement of the Women's World Cup.

Okay, here's an in-depth look at the All-Star Game, and what it means in the grand scheme of things for MLS. As I explain in great detail, the product of a significant amount of work and research on my part, the All-Star Game provides Major League Soccer with a oh crap, they fired Bob Bradley
Okay, the lull between the Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying provides Gulati, Flynn and the federation with a chance to make a detailed, measured search for a coach who truly addresses the needs of our team.

It's official. After years of speculation, Jürgen Klinsmann is the new head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team.

Ever since Klinsmann left his post as manager of Germany after the 2006 World Cup, the former striker has been heavily linked to the U.S. head coach position. After failing to reach an agreement with Klinsmann in 2006 and subsequently in 2010, the U.

While the formal press conference will not be until Monday, the United States Soccer Federation announced today that the replacement for Bob Bradley will be Jurgen Klinsmann. Klinnsman's coaching career has been limited to one stint with the German team, as well as very short time with Bayern Munich.

On Friday, the United States Soccer Federation named Jürgen Klinsmann the new coach of the US National Team. "I am proud and honored to be named the head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team," Klinsmann said. "I would like to thank the U.S. Soccer Federation for the opportunity, and I'm excited about the challenge ahead.

Bob Bradley, head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) for the last two World Cups, was fired last night from his post by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).

''We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to US Soccer during the past five years," Sunil Gulati, President of the USSF, said in a press release.

Gold Cup loss was final nail for Bradley World Soccer Yahoo! Sports.

Today, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) dismissed MNT coach Bob Bradley following months of speculation about his future. The USA's defeat in the Gold Cup Final against Mexico was thought to have been the final straw for the former Chicago Fire man, but a period of inactivity since that game led some people to beleive, me included, that he had weathered the storm.

Today the United States Soccer Federation announced that it had parted ways (fired) US Men's National Team Coach Bob Bradley. The Era of Bob Bradley began after the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany where the US failed to get out of their group. The poor showing in Germany resulted in Bruce Arena being fired and Bob Bradley being named interim coach, and then, in 2007, being named coach.

In a move that is only surprising by the timing of the announcement, the United States Soccer Federation announced today that Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as coach of the United States Men's National Soccer Team. The move ends weeks of speculation after USSF President Sunil Gulati failed to publicly back Bradley when the United States lost to Mexico in the Gold Cup final.

The United States Soccer Federation announced on Thursday that Bob Bradley is no longer the coach of the US National Team. No replacement was announced. "We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to U.S. Soccer during the past five years," Gulati said in a press statement. "During his time as the head coach of our Men's National Team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now.

As has been previously described on the PSP, the friendly has historically been an important opportunity for the transmission of new football tactics. It's also a great way for clubs and federations to make some money and for hitherto unknown players to be seen by top clubs. From the fan's perspective, the friendly is often a rare opportunity to see top flight international soccer and also serves as an important community builder, whether those communities are ethnic groups that identify with particular international clubs or the soccer community as a whole.

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced today that the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) will play Mexico, in an international friendly at Lincoln Financial Field, on August 10 at 9 pm.

Coming off of a 4-2 loss to Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final, the USMNT looks to build up form in August before heading to Belgium to play a friendly on September 6.

The United States Soccer Federation announced a September 2nd friendly against Costa Rica and another four days later against Belgium. The USA will play Costa Rica at the Home Depot Center, with the Belgium game scheduled for Brussels at King Baudouin Stadium. "The matches against Costa Rica and Belgium represent another great opportunity to continue the building process as we move towards the start of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying," US coach Bob Bradley said.

Luck was not a lady for the Chicago Fire in all things U.S. Open Cup last night. Well perhaps it was if the lady in question was passive aggressively figuring out a way to rain on our parade. See, the Fire did not lose last night. The Chicago Fire PDL team didn't lose either. However, what happens next for both teams is indeed unfortunate.

Chicago Fire Press Release

The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will honor Fire Original CJ Brown when the 13-year Fire defender returns to TOYOTA PARK for the Chicago Fire - Real Salt Lake game on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT (My50). Brown currently serves as an assistant coach for Real Salt Lake.

Tonight, the United States Men's National Team kicks off its Gold Cup schedule against Canada. And for the first time in my life, I cannot bring myself to wholeheartedly endorse its efforts.

As a supporter of American soccer not to be confused with the United States Soccer Federation - it's not that I want to see the team lose.

Mark Geiger managed 80 games, handing out 13 red cards and 26 penalty kicks prior to yesterday's Philadelphia Union and San Jose Earthquakes game. By the time he whistled for the end of the match, one of each was added to his career tallies.

In a league where referees have been the focal point of criticism since its inception, and the majority of this season, it seems almost idiotic that the level of officiating is left to rot at such a low standard.

From the Evansville Courier Press, April 24, 2011
The United States Soccer Federation has a firm handle on the future of soccer in our country, and it is by focusing on player development in the 5-year old to 12-year old age groups.
USSF officials, led by Youth Technical Director and former national team captain Claudio Reyna, unveiled a new curriculum for coaches of players ages 5-12 this week at the Nike International Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.

Any talk of promotion and relegation in Major League Soccer was squashed this week when MLS president Mark Abbott announced that there are no plans of doing so. He also mentioned that the league has no plans of switching to the same international calendar that most other leagues in the world use.
Whether the rumors of exploring both were genuine, or just a ploy to attempt to influence FIFA in giving the United States a World Cup bid, it appears that any chance of either of those changes are gone for now.

On Monday, March 29, 2011 the United States Soccer Federation announced that US National Team all-time leading cap winner Cobi Jones has been elected to the National Soccer of Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Recognized for participating in the three World Cups (1994, 1998, 7 2002) and a long-time member of the Los Angeles Galaxy where he was a player and a coach, Jones picked up votes from an outstanding 87 percent of the.

The United States Soccer Federation has revealed a new uniform and a new motto to go with it: "Indivisible." The single world slogan is the product of a "crowd sourcing" campaign, in which fans were encouraged to submit their ideas to team-sponsor Nike. Dubbed "Red All Over," the project created a lot of buzz and raised a big question: Why would the USSF want to replace the old motto, "Don't Tread on Me"?